Individual taste in books varies as much as the favorite rod
or fly. With that in mind, we hope to review books and
videos from the ever-growing fly fishing world, and share
them with you. Books will be the best of all worlds, new
and old. Many of the old books are now available in reprint,
and the wisdom contained is timely today. Others can be
found in second-hand book stores, or by mail order dealers.
As we find videos we feel are outstanding they will be included.
Be assured, reviews are based on what we have actually read,
and due to that fact, may not appear weekly.

Author Michael Caldwell undertook a huge chore.
Pick the top twenty world-class fishing AND first-class
resort living places in North America. He has done so,
with class.

The places covered with in-depth profiles, from Baranof
Island, Alaska to Saskatchewan are each illustrated with
terrific color photography showing the place, the people,
the fishing, the facilities, the cuisine, guest comments
and directions.

The winners are: (listed alphabetically - no favoritism)

Baranoff Wilderness Lodge, Baranof Island, Alaska

Buffalo Creed Ranch, Rand, Colorado

Delaware River Club, Starlight, Pennsylvania

Firehole Ranch, West Yellowstone, Montana

Fishing Unlimited Lodge, Lake Clark, Alaska

Flathead Lake Lodge, Flathead Lake, Montana

Hawk Lake Lodge, Hawk Lake, Ontario

Krogs Kamp on The Kenai, Soldotna, Alaska

Minor Bay Lodge, Wollaston Lake, Saskatchewan

Redoubt Mountain Lodge, Crescent Lake, Alaska

Ruby Springs Lodge, Sheridan, Montana

Selwyn Lake Lodge, Selwyn Lake, Saskatchewan

Sonara Resort, Sonora Island, British Columbia

Spotted Bear Ranch, Flathead River, Montana

Spotted Horse Ranch, Jackson Hole, Wyoming

Three Rivers Ranch, Warm River, Idaho

West Coast Fishing Club, Queen Charlotte Islands

Wits End Guest Ranch, Bayfield Colorado

Wood River Lodge, Agulowak River, Alaska

Yes Bay Lodge, Yes Bay, Alaska

Contact Information for each resort, including addresses,
phone, email and websites are also given in the book.

I had a nice conversation with the author, Michael
Caldwell, and I questioned a couple of his choices
as 'luxury.' He readily admitted his choices were
personal, and may not fit what others see as luxury.
He claimed luxury doesn't necessarily mean the finest
accommodations or gourmet food (although many of the
places listed do fit that description) but the
remoteness, privacy or uniqueness of a resort may
make the difference. Several of Michael's choices
are reachable only by plane.

One of the larger of the resorts which made Michael's
list is the Flathead Lake Lodge, near Big Fork, Montana.
JC and I have been privileged to know the Averill
family which founded and continues to run this great
resort, and were guests of the Averills several times.
After reading Michael's description carefully, he did
not overstate one single thing. The place has been
host to several Presidents who fished, and we remember
well when the first President George Bush was a guest
at the Lodge (something about black helicopters flying
overhead) when we were living in Big Fork.

I would expect the the rest of the resorts are covered
as well - and honestly as the Flathead Lake Lodge.

I had not heard of several of the places listed - so
perhaps there are wonderful places you can discover
as well. It's nice to know these places exist, and
cater to fishermen!